UVM and college sports from the Burlington Free Press sports department

Turner not a candidate for UVM job

Hajj Turner, who was the University of Vermont’s associate head men’s basketball coach, confirmed today he is not a candidate for the head coaching job and will join Mike Lonergan’s staff at George Washington.

Although interested in succeeding Lonergan at Vermont, Turner sensed he didn’t quite have enough experience for the jump and felt GW was a better opportunity at this point of his career.

“(UVM) was looking for someone with experience. I caught wind of that early on and certainly understand,” Turner said in a phone interview with the Free Press today. “There are no hard feelings.”

Turner, 31, was on Lonergan’s staff for all six seasons at Vermont and was considered instrumental in the recruitment and development of several accomplished post players, including Marqus Blakely. UVM was his first college coaching job. He played for Rick Pitino at Louisville, where he was a co-captain his senior year before graduating with a master’s degree in 2002.

Turner is also excited to be closer to his hometown in Charlottesville, Va.

UVM assistant John Beckerappears to still be an in-house candidate for UVM’s head coaching job.

Hiring Becker, 43, could maintain continuity for a team that returns several key players and has a promising incoming recruiting class. Becker appears to have the endorsement of recruit Four McGlynn, a prolific shooter from Pennsylvania whose fathertold the Daily Record/Sunday News that UVM’s coaching hire might determine whether he honors his commitment with the Catamounts.

5 Responses to Turner not a candidate for UVM job

While John Becker would be a good choice as well, to say that Hajj is lacking experience is nuts. He is a rising star in the college basketball coaching arena and has the respect of the players. He is also a great recruiter and not to mention a class act. Good Luck Hajj!

And the dominos start falling. UVM needs to be very careful with it’s next head coaching hire, it could be the difference between a quick transition or a long run of mediocre teams. The team is still very young and with a nice recruiting class coming in the right coach could walk into a good situation. But if players start transfering and opting out of commitments it could all go south very quick. If UVM wants to be a basketball school they need to make a true commitment to the basketball program, upgrading facilities and paying good coaches should be a major point. Your only as strong as your weakest link!!!

When one has been an assistant for 6 years, one has the experience to become a Head Coach. Hajj also played for Louisville under 2 great coaches. Most top assistants run practices and are involved heavliy in recruiting. I think UVM should have at least interviewed him.

Good move to Hajj move on to A-10 this year and move upward to a possible head coach job next year. Lonegran will have success at GW the program is only a step away to move back to the ranked ranks. The move though was ill timed as Lonegran might have found himself back in the ACC at Maryland. Best wishes to Coach L he served UVM fans well in putting together six good teams and this year’s effort showed he can coach. He had to replace a legacy in Coach Brennan and did just that. Now he takes over a Colonials’ team that could have been headed to dire straights. First a title at Catholic University and now a chance for a good dance number in the NCAA.
UVM should not overlook anyone and might just want to look south to Castleton State and Paul Culpo, the St. Mike’s grad, has had success in his two years at the Spartans helm and is ready to make the move upward. Needs a fair shake.